Espresso Powder Tablet Compaction by Electromagnetic Sintering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing espresso coffee are costly due to complex manufacturing processes and environmental concerns related to packaging, and prior attempts at reducing these issues, such as using ultrasonic vibrations, result in non-uniform compaction and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for producing a self-supporting tablet of ground powdered products for espresso beverage extraction that uses electromagnetic wave irradiation to compact and sinter the particles without external enclosures, allowing for efficient and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ultrasonic vibrations are used to compact the tablet, then the tablet can be compacted without enclosures, but the compaction is non-uniform and the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasonic vibration system with an electromagnetic radiation system (microwave or radiofrequency). This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical contact systems while achieving uniform compaction through volumetric heating and molecular polarization effects that penetrate the entire tablet simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for compaction from mechanical vibration frequency to electromagnetic radiation frequency and power. By controlling the electromagnetic field parameters (frequency, power, duration), uniform compaction is achieved throughout the tablet volume without the attenuation problems of mechanical waves.
2Manufacturing precision
If electromagnetic wave irradiation is used to compact the tablet, then uniform compaction and integral construction are achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition effects of water molecules under electromagnetic radiation. The microwaves or radiofrequency waves cause water molecules to rotate and align with the alternating electric field, generating heat through dielectric loss. This phase-related molecular motion efficiently converts electromagnetic energy to thermal energy, compacting the tablet particles through controlled heating and sintering.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves a compact, integral, and environmentally friendly tablet that reduces manufacturing costs and eliminates the need for packaging, ensuring uniform compaction and efficient flavor extraction.
Implementation Method 1
supplying an amount of energy to said tablet to obtain a substantially compact and integral item, characterized in that the step of supplying energy is carried out at a distance by irradiating the tablet with an electromagnetic wave beam to overheat and partially bake and/or sinter the particles
Implementation Method 2
forming the dose of moistened powdered product by compression to obtain a substantially disk-shaped tablet
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a tablet for hot espresso beverage extraction includes the steps of grinding a brewable product to obtain a powder having a substantially uniform particle size, dosing a predetermined amount of the ground product powder, moistening the powdered product dose, homogenizing the moistened mixture to obtain a powdered product with a substantially uniform moisture content, forming the powdered product dose to obtain a disk-shaped or prismatic tablet, and supplying an amount of energy to the tablet to obtain a substantially compact and integral item. The step of supplying energy is carried out by irradiating the tablet with an electromagnetic wave beam to overheat and partially bake and/or sinter the particles of the powdered product and impart a relatively compact and self-supporting construction to the finished tablet. The electromagnetic wave irradiation step is carried out at the end of the forming step while continuously compressing the dose.